Orlando Magic's Al Harrington might not play again this season

Josh Robbins | Orlando Sentinel

NEW YORK — Al Harrington’s right knee is fine, but it’s possible that the veteran forward won’t play again this season for the Orlando Magic.

Magic coach Jacque Vaughn intends to play his young big men — 20-year-old Tobias Harris, 22-year-old Kyle O’Quinn, 22-year-old Nik Vucevic and 23-year-old Andrew Nicholson — as much as possible in the Magic's final 13 games.

And that won't leave much, if any, time for Harrington, a 33-year-old veteran.

Harrington hasn’t played in Orlando’s last three games, including Wednesday night’s 106-94 loss to the New York Knicks.

“It’s really nothing to do with his knees,” Vaughn said.

“It’s a coach’s decision. I’ve talked to Al just about the remaining games that we have. He’s helped us in the wins at Philly and New Orleans. He’s proven that he can still play this game at a high level, and I’m going to give the opportunity to play to some of our young guys and give them some experience. I think he has experience at this game a little bit already.”

Harrington indicated after Wednesday’s game that he accepts Vaughn’s decision and that he hopes to use the rest of the regular season to continue to make progress on his knee, which developed a staph infection after arthroscopic surgery last May.

After an arduous rehabilitation process, Harrington played his first game this season on Feb. 26.

He's played in 10 games for the Magic, averaging 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game.

He probably doesn’t fit into the rebuilding franchise’s long-term plans.

Next season, he’s due to earn about $7.1 million, but only $3.55 million of that is guaranteed. In 2013-14, he’s due to earn $7.6 million, but only $3.8 million of that is guaranteed.

If the Magic were to waive him outright this summer, the team would be required to pay him the guaranteed portions of both seasons.